The Hug

I was alone in the N-2 building in Prashanthi Nilayan.

It was my last day there before continuing the journey.

The next morning the cab would pick me up shortly.

I was feeling a little melancholy, perhaps because of the beautiful memories I had lived there in the past. Perhaps for thinking that Swami did not approve of my visit to MDH.

I then decided to leave the room and walk down the ashram to the western canteen as lunchtime approached. I went down the stairs of the building and walked down the avenue that passes before the temple of Lakshmi and the temple of Gayathri Devi. A very bright and sunny day.

I was walking slowly in those thoughts when on the right side I observed several ladies in their multicolored sarees sitting on the side benches of the street and later a group of older gentlemen with identification of ashram volunteers talking quietly.

I noticed a young man walking in my direction, wearing white clothes and blue scarf on his shoulders, identifying the volunteers (seva dals),

He had a calm look and a broad smile, and he approached me as if he knew me.

Now I noticed something strange because he approached me interrupting my walk and getting very close, about a foot away. This behavior is unusual for an Indian, especially for a young student within the ashram. When curious students try to interact with foreign devotees they are soon warned by their elders to behave in the expected. I looked at the group of older women and they seemed not to be seeing us. I looked at the group of men and they also seemed to notice nothing.

I quickly looked back at the young man and smiled back.

He then asked me in English, "Are you feeling well?"

I thought to myself that these words were strange for a young man to come and talk to me!

I said yes, it felt good.

He then always smiling asked me again in English: "Are you happy?" ( Are you happy?)

Wow! I know these words!

 I answered, "Yes! I'm Happy!" ( Yes I am happy!)

Then something happened that I did not expect ...

 The young man gave me a hug!

This surprised me in such a way that time seemed to have stopped.

I was astonished and happy, in great Ananda.

He released me and without further ado walked in the direction from which I had come.

I stood there watching him move away in a calm pace without speaking to anyone else until he turned the street corner of the accommodation blocks "N" until he disappeared from my vision.

I sat on the curb trying to figure out what had happened there.

I was immediately reminded of the story of Tulsidas, and a radiant joy in my heart eliminated all thoughts of doubt and feelings of melancholy.

I had just received the Darshan of My Lord!

He had cleared all mydoubts and blessed me, allowing me to continue my journey to Muddenahalli the next day." 

     René Ugalde- Rio de Janeiro Brasil - February 2017